About Distinguished Artists
Established in 1984, the Distinguished Artists Concert & Lecture Series (DACLS) is located in Aptos, California. The mission of DACLS is to bring together artists of international and local reputation, various musical and service organizations, educational institutions, and professional and ethnic groups in a variety of diverse and stimulating creative projects that reach a broad cross-section of the community.
To date, the series has presented hundreds of performing artists, lecturers, and composers from around the globe at Cabrillo College and other venues throughout Santa Cruz County.
DACLS provides students or all ages with the opportunity to attend affordable performances by world-class artists from diverse traditions and to learn directly from these artists in workshops and master classes.
DACLS offers talented local artists an opportunity to showcase their talents and to interact with outstanding artists of international stature and reputation.
DACLS enhances the general cultural vitality of our area by providing performance opportunities for new artists or less familiar cultural forms and traditions.
A current goal is to firmly establish DACLS as a permanent, self-sustaining organization with a professional manager and staff.
The artistic and executive director of DACLS is Dr. John Orlando, D.M.A., music instructor at Cabrillo College.
Reviews
Here are some reviewer comments about DACLS artists:
Classical Guitarist Paul Galbraith: "something of a sensation in the guitar world as an extraordinarily skillful, cohesive and passionate performer." Stereo Review
Alasdair Fraser & Skyedance: "The sound of expertise - a sound to behold." Glasgow Herald
Pianist Pawel Skrypek: "This is a pianist of rare communicative power." Sacramento Bee
Ragtime Pianist Scott Kirby: "…a brilliant performer…Kirby sounds like Chopin." Denver Post
Calico Winds: "I hear nothing but joy from people coming out of the theater." Eva Holberg, Presenter
The Da Vinci Quartet: "This is a crack ensemble…sizzling in its attack and vital sound." The Denver Post
Pianist John Orlando: "An artist of obvious talent, whose playing was marked by exceptional clarity, a good sense of style and sensitivity." The Sacramento Bee
Flamenco Guitarist Paco Pena: "Mr. Pena has it all - rapid, machine-gun like flourishes that blast from his instrument and soft shading he etches with intricate delicacy" The New York Times
Melody of China: "Master Hong Wang plays the Chinese violin like Jimi Hendrix plays the electric guitar." Tanz & Folk Festival
La Tania Flamenco: "Andres Marin is slim and dangerous as a stiletto, he curls his torso into a supple, snake like instrument." The San Francisco Examiner
Jazz Pianist Jessica Williams: "The most important pianist to arrive since Bill Evans." Alun Morgan, Gramophone
The Mystical Arts of Tibet: "Remarkable…the music and dance invoke sacred ecstasy" The New York Times